edicraft toaster

[jbellafesta]

i just received one of these as a gift. the toaster is always on when pluged in. I've seen pics online of some examples with an inline cord switch, but mine doesn't have one. does anyone know if the unit should shut off when the toast cycle ends or if it must be manually shut off. the unit does open properly at end of cycle. the cord is definately 20s to 30s era, but not knowing the history of the unit, it is possible it could have had the original cord replaced with a vintage cord lacking a switch. it just doesn't make sense to me that a high end automatic toaster of the period would require manual power shut off.

 

[rp2813]

I'd have to see a picture in order to advise.  I used to own a vintage toaster with an in-line cord switch.  It wasn't an automatic, though.

 

[jbellafesta]

[No message]

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow!  That's an early version of an automatic toaster for sure.  I'm going to guess that the "automatic" cycle was controlled by a clockwork timer and that this unfortunately is no longer working on yours.  

 

Very cool toaster - what a thoughtful gift!!

 

[rp2813]

I agree with Paul.  I had a vintage "Toastwell" and the ticking of the timer was audible on that one.  Since it's likely a mechanical timer, it might just need a cleaning to get it working again.

 

[jbellafesta]

The side knob winds and activates the timer, which does operate. When the time has finished, the clamshell part of the toaster opens to reveal the bread, but the current does not shut off. I'm just trying to figure out of there was supposed to be an electrical shut off switch integrated with the timer. I hesitate to take the thing apart because it is a bit complicated. I've just not found someone who has used these before. What confuses me is that from the pictures I've found on google, some of the toasters have in line switches while others appear not to have them.

 

[rp2813]

Well, there's nothing automatic about a toaster that needs human intervention to keep it from starting a fire.  Seeing as how the manufacturer made the claim of it being "entirely automatic," it seems to me that you should be able to set it and forget it.

 

If the timer is working, it's possible that a key piece of the mechanism that would trigger a break in the heating circuit isn't functioning or has broken.  If you can get the exterior off so you can examine the timer and identify the shut-off mechanism, you shouldn't have to disassemble it any further to make the needed repair.

 

If the shut-off proved to be a weak link with these toasters, that could be why you're finding pictures with in-line cord switches.  That was cheaper than buying a new toaster back in those days.

 

[mrboilwash]

Just a thought
The ad says it keeps toast hot until wanted, so maybe it`s supposed to open up when the toast is done but keeps the current on for the keep warm feature.
This way the bottom ends of the toast would still get burned after a while but if you think of it the words safety or automatic also had different meanings in advertising these days.

 

[rp2813]

I can see how the automatic opening would distance the toasted bread from the heating elements and keep it warm, but agree that in such a scenario the bottom area of the bread would remain in close enough proximity to the heat source to keep toasting.

 

I'm surprised Thomas A(hole) Edison would extend his endorsement of such a flawed system, though.